Local Youth Named 2014 Waukesha Christmas Parade Grand Marshall

(Waukesha – November 17, 2014) The City of Waukesha Chamber of Commerce announced today that 4-year-old Zoe Nuedling, daughter of Ed and Kaleena Neudling of Waukesha, would lead the annual Christmas parade as its grand marshall. The naming of the grand marshall is reserved as a benefit for the parade’s presenting sponsor which will be the BloodCenter of Wisconsin again this year. The parade serves as the official launch of the holiday season for the city and town and will take place on the traditional Sunday before Thanksgiving, November 23 at 4:00p.m.

Zoe was born with a congenital heart defect called heterotaxy syndrome which affects her heart, spleen and intestine. She needed many blood and platelet transfusions to endure three open heart surgeries and many other hospital stays. Zoe is happy and full of life today, thanks to the generosity of many blood and platelet donors.

Her mom, Kaleena, says “People who don’t even know Zoe have helped to keep her alive, and I am so thankful.”

Fay Spano, director of public relations for the BloodCenter, is happy to have a story like Zoe’s to demonstrate the life-saving value of blood and platelet donations. “We encourage existing donors and prospective new donors to take the time during the holidays to make a profound difference in someone’s life with the unique gift of a blood donation,” Spano said.

The BloodCenter of Wisconsin uses these donations to help patients of all ages facing surgeries, coping with illness, or fighting cancer. Blood donations may be made by any healthy individual aged 17 or older. Parental consent is required for 16-year-olds to donate blood, and the entire process takes about one hour. Donors should bring photo ID showing the donor’s birth date.

“We can’t think of a better message to make the centerpiece of the parade,” says chamber executive director Jim Hahn, “than Zoe’s story which literally gives the Nuedling family the chance to envision many happy ‘Visions of Christmas Yet to Come,’ our 2014 parade theme.”

Some of Zoe’s favorite things are fairy wings, dance costumes, teddy bears and tiaras. She is excited to be riding with her parents and younger brother Jayce in the horse-drawn carriage leading this year’s parade of nearly 90 units as they begin marching down Main Street at White Rock Avenue at 4:00p.m. on Sunday.

Information about the BloodCenter of Wisconsin can be found at www.bcw.edu and parade updates and additional details are posted on the chamber’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WaukeshaWorks. “